UVU To Host Benefit Concert to End Sexual Exploitation

_{By Richard Provost}

This Wednesday in the UVU Grand Ballroom, local musicians will be raising funds for the National Center On Sexual Exploitation. The NCOSE was founded in 1962 “in order to address the connections between pornography and sex trafficking, violence against women and children, harms to children, addiction, [and] the breakdown of the family.” _[1] They provide education and work to enact policy against sexual exploitation. As part of their mission, they also maintain a research website that compiles peer-reviewed data on the public health crisis of pornography.

Musicians participating in the benefit concert include Chris Hurley of the band Our Future Selves, Derek Grange, Wayne the band, Tiewa: sunnytee music, Sonsapapa, Cameron Webb, Audri Bramwell and others. Some who have survived sexual exploitation or are active in the fight against it will be sharing their personal experiences. Among those survivors is Nicole Dailey – the girl behind the event.

“Sexual exploitation is a huge issue in our society,” Dailey told Reach Provo. “It hurts so many people on so many different levels. I was inspired to take action by viewing the negative effects of it in my life and in the lives of those I love. I love what the National Center [On Sexual Exploitation] does to expose the seamless connection between all forms of sexual exploitation.” Dailey first came in contact with the National Center On Sexual Exploitation last year at the annual Utah Coalition Against Pornography Conference. After she emailed them to see if she could hold a fundraising event for them, they jumped right in to help.

The event is being held in conjunction with the Clothesline Project, which started in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women. Women who have been affected by violence decorate a shirt and hang it on a clothesline. This is a public expression of their stories: their anger, their fears, and the lessons they’ve learned. The project is meant to unite communities in standing up against sexual violence. “The clothesline project is amazing,” says Dailey. “So often in society, matters of sexual exploitation are kept hushed up. The clothesline project is an opportunity for those affected by an abusive aspect to have a voice. It shows us all just how prevalent this problem is.”

Dailey has worked hard to ensure that 100% of the proceeds from the concert will go toward the National Center On Sexual Exploitation. “UVU was very helpful in providing us a free venue through the student learning and volunteer center. That way none of the proceeds have to be used for the event itself.”

Dailey reached out to performers that she’s met in various ways to enlist their help in raising awareness. For example, one is a lifelong friend, and another she met randomly at The Wall on BYU campus. Dailey worked with her roommates, her brother, and her mother to put the event together. “We had all been trying to think of ways to make a difference with this issue and all our ideas came together to actually create something.”

A survivor herself, Dailey is very passionate about ending sexual exploitation. “Nothing will change if we don’t talk about it,” she says. “You cannot fix a problem you don’t understand. Because it is a problem that is bigger than a few individuals there has to be widespread understanding across society. I was very sick because of sexual exploitation. Healing did not come until I looked it squarely in the face, acknowledged it and how it affected me, and understood it.”

Come to the !Make Noise! Benefit Concert, Wednesday April 6th from 7 to 9 PM in the UVU Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $10. A group purchase of four tickets is only $30. You can buy tickets online here. Listen to “1000 Miles” by Chris Hurley’s band, Our Future Selves, below.

[1] “About – National Center on Sexual Exploitation.” National Center on Sexual Exploitation. National Center on Sexual Exploitation, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.